Flu Cases Surge Across Chicago and Illinois, Hospitalizations Reach 2022 Highs
Chicago and the state of Illinois are battling a important rise in influenza cases, with emergency room visits and hospitalizations reaching levels not seen since 2022.
Chicago is currently experiencing its highest levels of flu-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations as 2022, as cases escalate across parts of the United States, health officials reported on Friday, December 29th. The Chicago Department of Public Health’s latest data indicates that flu activity has moved from “high” to “very high” and is increasing substantially across all measured indicators.
While emergency room visits and hospitalizations have increased across all age groups, the moast pronounced rise is occurring among individuals under the age of 17.This surge in pediatric cases is particularly concerning for public health officials.
Flu activity is also categorized as “very high” throughout Illinois, with hospital admissions climbing to 5.17% as of the most recent weekly data. This figure is rapidly approaching last season’s peak of 6.8% recorded on February 8, 2025.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) reported, based on data from nearly two weeks prior, that flu activity was at “high” or “very high” levels in 32 states and jurisdictions – a significant increase from the 17 states reported the previous week. while Illinois registered a “low” level of flu activity at the time of the CDC report, overall respiratory illness activity across the state has reached high levels. Hospitalizations related to COVID-19, influenza, and RSV have all been increasing between December 20th and 27th. In Chicago, overall respiratory illness activity transitioned from moderate to high during the same period.
Other respiratory Illnesses Also on the Rise
Alongside the influenza surge, health officials are monitoring activity related to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID-19. As of Friday,December 29th,RSV activity in Illinois remained moderate,while COVID-19 activity was low but showing signs of recent increase. statewide, RSV hospitalizations experienced a slight increase, moving from 0.36% to 0.48% over the last measurable week. Though, in chicago, emergency room visits and hospitalizations for RSV remained stable, holding at lower levels than observed in the previous three seasons.
COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide increased from 1.12% to 1.64% between December 20th and 27th. in chicago, health officials noted that emergency room visits and hospitalizations for COVID-19 remain low, but represent the highest levels recorded since the spring and continue to trend upward.
Among all respiratory illnesses statewide,flu hospitalizations have experienced the most substantial increase,more than doubling from 2.30% to 5.17%. this dramatic rise underscores the severity of the current influenza outbreak.
Flu Season Expected to continue for weeks
Medical professionals are cautioning that the flu season is far from over, and a further surge in cases is highly likely over the next few weeks, according to reports from NBC News. Stabilization of case numbers is not anticipated until late January or possibly february.
despite concerns about the timing, experts emphasize that it is indeed not too late to receive a flu vaccination. Even getting vaccinated now can provide significant protection against severe illness.
This year’s flu vaccine includes a component designed to target the H3N2 strain, which is currently the dominant strain circulating across the country. However, Dr. Molly Fleece,an associate professor in the division of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham,explained that the vaccine is not a perfect match for the mutated strain.
“This is because the subclade mutated and spread after vaccines were already selected for the year,” Dr. Fleece stated.
Despite this mismatch, Dr. Fleece stressed that the vaccine remains effective. “It may mean that more people will be susceptible to getting the flu… but we certainly know from ancient data that the vaccine is still very effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths,” she added. The continued effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing severe outcomes remains a critical public health message.
